New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom are nearing the conclusion of a major defence agreement that could see the Indian Army acquire hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles, marking a significant expansion of military cooperation between the two countries.
The two governments are in the final stages of an intergovernmental agreement for the missile system, commonly known as Marlet. An initial emergency procurement is already underway, while the proposed agreement would expand the acquisition into a much larger order involving hundreds of missiles.
Once finalised, the deal is expected to become the second largest order placed globally for the Lightweight Multirole Missile system. The only larger order so far has been linked to Ukraine’s defence requirements.
The British made missile weighs around 13 kilograms and measures approximately 1.3 metres in length, with a diameter of 76 millimetres. It uses laser beam riding guidance, allowing the weapon to be directed towards its target with high precision.
The planned Indian acquisition is part of efforts by New Delhi and London to strengthen defence cooperation while developing more dependable supply chains for critical military equipment.
The agreement could also open the door to greater industrial collaboration between the two countries. Following the missile deal, India and the UK are expected to explore cooperation on the joint design and development of more advanced weapon systems.
The missile programme is being discussed alongside several other major defence initiatives. One key area involves a potential partnership on maritime electric propulsion technology for future Indian Navy warships.
The growing defence engagement reflects a broader effort by India and the UK to expand cooperation beyond conventional equipment purchases and move towards joint development, manufacturing and technology partnerships.
If completed, the LMM agreement could therefore serve as an important step in shaping a deeper long term defence industrial relationship between New Delhi and London.
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